U. S. Route 550 is a spur of U.S. Highway 50 that runs from Bernalillo, New Mexico to Montrose, Colorado. This Highway runs right by the Alpen Rose RV Campground that we stay at while in Durango. The section from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway.
Most of U.S. 500 in Colorado is a two-lane mountainous
highway. It is one of only two north-south U.S. Highways in Colorado which runs west of the Continental Divide, the other route is US 491. US 550 route travels north through the San Juan Mountains.The Million Dollar Highway is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and again narrow lanes for traffic - many cut directly into the sides of mountains. Traveling north from Sliverton to Ouray perches drivers on the vertiginous outside edge of the highway. Large RV's travel in both
directions, which adds a degree of excitement (or danger) to people in cars. The road is kept open year-round. The snow season starts in October, and snow will often close the road.
Chains may be required.The route passes over three mountain passes:
Coal Bank Pass, elevation 10,640 feet
Molas Pass, elevation 10,970 feet
Red Mountain Pass, elevation 11,018 feet
At Molas Pass there is Molas Lake, such a beautiful place!
The origin of the name Million Dollar Highway is disputed. There are several legends, though, including that it cost a million dollars a mils to build in the 1920's, and that its dirt contains a million dollars of gold ore.
In the early 1920's, the original road was a toll road and was rebuilt at considerable cost and became the present day US 550. The Million Dollar Highway was completed in 1924.
Along the route there are many waterfalls from the mountain streams and beautiful scenery!!! Have to admit that the lack of guardrails is a bit daunting!!
We love to drive US 550 to both Silverton and Ouray. The towns are quaint and fun places to have lunch!
We even found a place in Silverton that serves great BBQ along with fried dill pickles!!We are finally leving this beautiful part of the county and heading to Monument Valley. We have had a wonderful time here with our friends Chris and Jan and Sharon and Fred.
More from along the road later.....
Until then,
Candy and Johnny
